The German cabinet has strongly rejected criticism from U.S. Senator Marco Rubio regarding the decision by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency to classify the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a right-wing extremist group.
Rubio, speaking on Friday, described the move as “tyranny in disguise,” claiming that granting the agency expanded powers to surveil a political opposition party was undemocratic. He urged the German government to reverse its decision.
“We strongly reject the statements made by the U.S. Secretary of State,” said Foreign Office spokesman Sebastian Fischer on Monday, clarifying Rubio’s title was misstated.
“I also reiterate that the insinuations contained therein have no basis in reality.
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has the legitimate task of protecting democracy and the rule of law from extremists and enemies of the constitution.”
Fischer stressed that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, made the designation independently.
He added that the agency’s actions are subject to review by independent courts.
German Interior Ministry spokesman Lars Harmsen noted that the BfV’s decision-making process is classified and that the findings leading to the AfD designation cannot be made public.
According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the AfD has filed a lawsuit against the BfV in response to the designation made on May 2.
The move allows for broader surveillance of the party and marks a step toward a possible future ban.
AfD co-chairs Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel condemned the decision, calling it a blow to democracy.
Several recent polls have shown the AfD ahead of the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), the conservative bloc that won snap elections in February.
(RIA/NAN)
